Source 30: Interview with a renewable energy specialist

Interview with Stephanie Page, renewable energy specialist, ODA (conducted 3/11/09 from Eugene, OR)

Summary:

This is an interview conducted by me with a renewable energy specialist from the Oregon Department of Agriculture who promotes business investment in renewable energy tax credits.

Topic:

Should the Obama administration allocate large amounts of money ($150 billion) in this time of economic crisis to alternative energy sources?

Category:

Citizen- expert

What is it?

It is a phone interview conducted by me with an employee of the ODA who works in Portland, OR.

Author:

Joey Jackson and Stephanie Page

Support:

Oregon Department of Energy

Oregon Department of Agriculture

business energy tax credit

study done by Eco Northwest

Stephanie Page

Stephanie Page uses statistics and other information from studies and government documents provided by the first two sources.  The business energy tax credit is a piece of legislation that is referenced to show the percentages that the companies can save on taxes.  The study done by Eco Northwest shows the impact of the tax incentives on Oregon businesses.

Audience and Agenda:

Stephanie Page is a Renewable Energy Specialist who works for the Oregon Department of Agriculture which is a part of the Oregon Department of Energy.  She has worked for the Oregon Department of Agriculture for nine years.  The goal of her work is to fund renewable energy and to promote energy efficiency outreach to agriculture producers.  She also promotes investment by businesses in tax credits given to renewable energy companies.  The ODA and ODE are funded by state and federal tax dollars.

Usefulness:

This interview provides insight into the types of incentives that are available to companies that are willing to invest in alternative energy sources.  The information provided by Stephanie Page shows the benefits to local businesses who invest in alternative energy such as the money saved on energy costs by making their companies more energy efficient.  Iit can also be used as a marketing tool to show that the company is environmentally conscious.  Companies can get a 50% tax credit for renewable energy projects, 35% for energy efficiency and a 30% federal tax credit for solar electric invesment.  These credits show that there are significant incentives provided by the government for alternative energy investment.  These incentives could lead to the promotion of new manufacturing markets in Oregon for alternative energy products by combating some of the high initial costs that come with parts and installation of these products making them a cost effective tool for companies to become more energy efficient and energy independant.  This could also encourage these companies to invest in future alternative energy technologies as the market continues to grow.  This applies to my question in that it shows the positive effects that government investment in alternative energy can have on local businesses which could lead to economic growth in the future.

Works Cited:

About ODA:

http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/about_us.shtml

About Oregon Department of Energy:

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/about_us.shtml

About incentives provided by Oregon Department of Energy:

http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/BUS/BETC.shtml

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/wip/block_grants.cfm

About Federal stimulus bill from Oregon Department of Energy:

http://www.energy.gov/recovery/index.htm